Ashdown BTA400

Wild Steve · #1 03-10-2011, 04:37 PM

I bought one of these a little while ago after ditching an Aguilar DB751 and Ampeg SVT VR, so obviously I preferred the BTA. Thought I'd share a few observations as there's very little info on them anywhere I can see.

It probably looks as good as any amp out there!
It's probably as heavy as any amp out there!

It runs a fair bit quiter than the Ampeg, but not as quiet as the Aguilar.

Operationally I think it's excellent. The dials are large and really smooth, the knobs are strong and precise. The VU meter is nice for setting your input level. Also nice to have a tuner permanently plugged in.

Tone-wise I'm still working on it (with my limited experience). By comparison the Ampeg had a clarity and punch to it that was very distinctive but probably not me. The Aggie I find clear and punchy but in just a bit of a sterile way. Hoping to get a Bergantino NV610 to see how that goes with it - very well I'd hope?

The Ampeg had a buzz that would just not go away and that just made me feel it was going to be unreliable (rightly or wrongly the thought was just there), the switches and overall feel was also a little cheap.

I felt the Aggie felt a bit cheap too - small rubber knobs and dials.

On the whole, I think it's been a good choice, though I do wonder if the DB751 would have been more sensible - it seemed like it would be very reliable and loud as heel, plus a fraction of the weight of the tube heads. ONly time will tell I suppose.

Hope this helps someone, or at least means that a result comes up when someone searches for info on the BTA heads!

Steve

JGR · #2 03-10-2011, 09:29 PM

Thanks for posting! Sliderbass has one of these as well. Definitely one of the coolest looking heads out there. I dig to look of all the Ashdown gear. Would love to hear some clips.

pablomigraine · #3 03-10-2011, 09:38 PM

Im currently lusting for the DP-200H. Ashdown is making some SICK gear now!!

Dream pair-up would be this:

Wild Steve · #4 03-11-2011, 03:26 AM

They have the new CL cabs too, including sealed 610 and 810 with that same cool-looking red grill. They're big though, typical 810, whereas the Berg seems to be regarded as as good as any 810 out ther but almost half the weight.
Steve

JAUQO III-X · #5 03-11-2011, 06:49 AM

I have a CL610 and it sounds very good.

Ashdown endorser.

Smurf-o-Deth · #6 03-11-2011, 07:10 AM

Dammit, are the new cabs available anywhere, or is it strictly by endorsee hook-up right now?

JAUQO III-X · #7 03-11-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

Dammit, are the new cabs available anywhere,

I have no clue in regards to availability in the states.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

or is it strictly by endorsee hook-up right now?

I got the only one that was available in the states after playing through it at this past winter NAMM.

Because it's a short 610 I didn't know that it had six 10's in it until I further inquired.

Wild Steve · #8 03-11-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

Dammit, are the new cabs available anywhere, or is it strictly by endorsee hook-up right now?

When I spoke to Ashdown here in the UK they told me the big CL cabs were special order and would take about 3 weeks to deliver.
They also have the VS series which includes a 412 but I was told that they might be pushed a bit by the BTA heads (even though they're rated 600W).
Steve

Smurf-o-Deth · #9 03-11-2011, 08:46 AM

Well, my interest is in pairing 'em up with my Little Bastard, so I won't be exactly punishing the voice coils. Looks like it might be email time.

JimmyM · #10 03-11-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Steve

When I spoke to Ashdown here in the UK they told me the big CL cabs were special order and would take about 3 weeks to deliver.
They also have the VS series which includes a 412 but I was told that they might be pushed a bit by the BTA heads (even though they're rated 600W).
Steve

typical, but at least they were honest with you when you asked them.

Wild Steve · #11 03-11-2011, 09:22 AM

There just doesn't seem to be anyone who's stocking the big cabs, people like Dolphin Music, Soundslive, DV247 etc., don't have them and I've tried loads of other places too.
Steve

Wild Steve · #12 03-11-2011, 09:29 AM

Here's an example of nice little things that just seem to work well - my little tuner permanently hooked in with a little patch cable. Of course this works in mute or even standby mode, just nice to have it always available.
Also came with this beefy footage included - a nice surprise.
Steve

chris lykins · #13 03-11-2011, 10:55 AM

I would love to hear your thoughts on the tone and clips would be awesome!

Wild Steve · #14 03-11-2011, 11:10 AM

Sorry but I'm just not experienced enough to comment properly on the tone - plus I'm using pretty cheap cabs.
What I would say though is that it had the same sort of feel as the SVT VR, but without that cutting attack the SVT has.
Steve

sammyfallen · #15 03-11-2011, 11:27 AM

Those Peavey's are inexpensive, I wouldn't say cheap. They sound great though, I'd love to hear your rig. It looks fantastic!

ishouldbeking · #16 03-11-2011, 11:33 AM

I'm curious if anyone has directly compared these to the Ashdown ABM series heads. As far as I can tell they use the exact same preamp and offer the same features, the only noticeable difference being the SS power section vs the massive tubes, and probably a magical (heavy) transformer in the BTA.

Safe to assume the BTA sounds tubier (better?), but is it $2000 better?

JGR · #17 03-11-2011, 12:45 PM

One of the things that has helped me not destroy my finances and buy one of these bad boys is the fact that it uses their ABM preamp which is nice enough, but never blew me away. I have no doubt it slays with that massive tube power section, and damn, it sure looks sexy! Wondering how the 427 sounds - it appears to have a different preamp.